Rail-joint



Patented June 22, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET lavwmtoz ALVENL-MRIMA'M A. L. WARTMAN.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. I918.

A. L. WARTMAN.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. 1918.

Patented June 22, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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A. L. WARTMAN.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. 1918.

1,344, 6.04. Patented June 22, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFEIcE.

ALVEN L. WARTMAN, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

Application filed June 12, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALvEN L. VARTMAN, citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improved rail joint and anti-creeping device.

The invention has for its object the elimination from a rail joint of fish plates and threaded bolts and the substitution therefor of a simple device, comprising few parts, which are adapted to securely join the ends of rails of standard or prevailing types, and which are so constructed that they are capa- -ble of interlocking engagement, at the same time allowing for the expansion and contraction of the rails.

This object is accomplished in the novel structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a track showing my improved rail joint in operative position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the end portions of two rails with the component parts of my invention secured thereto. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 83 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a tie plate. Fig. 6 is an inside elevation of a rail keeper plate. Fig. 7 is a section of the same on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a cross section on the line 88 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a top plan View of my improved rail joint showing the means of locking engagement.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a railroad tie partially embedded in the usual road bed. Secured to said tie bv spikes 2, is a tie plate 3, which is beveled at each end, as shown at 4, and provided with holes to engage the spikes 2. The said tie plate has two keeper lugs 6, integral therewith, which extend obliquely upward, converging inwardly to form engaging slots or grooves 7 Said grooves 7 are serrated at 8, for better engagement with serrated edges of rail keeper plates 9, on either side of rails 10.

Each keeper plate 9 has a groove throughout its length corresponding in shape to that of the flange of the rail, and is adapted to slide laterally onto the said flange from either side, until impeded by the contact of the web of the rail with the face of a verti- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1920. Serial No. 239,655.

cal member 11 of said keeper plate. Said member 11 is of a thickness corresponding to the projecting portion of the head of the rail. The upper or outer surface of the keeper plate is curved as shown at 12, to form a reinforcing web running throughout the entire length of said plate, and being of greatest thickness in cross section at the middle of the plate, reducing gradually toward the ends.

The plates 9 are provided with pins 13, which project inwardly from the inner face of the upright members 11 of said plates, and are of sufficient length to extend through the holes usually found in typical rails, intended for bolts, and enter registering holes let, in the face of the opposed plate 9, on the opposite side of said rail. The pins 13 are of a diameter less than that of the bolt holes in the rail, to allow for expansion and contraction of the rail under heat changes.

The lower horizontal members 16 of the plates 9 are largest and diminish in width gradually toward each end. The bottom surface is flat near each end for engagement in the grooves of the tie plates, and bulges downwardly in the center space between the ties. The purpose of this construction is to strengthen or truss the entire structure. The purpose of the tapered side edges of the keeper plates is to provide a wedged engagement of the said plates with the tie plates.

In operation the rails are placed end on end, and the keeper plates 9 slid on the flanges from either side. The tie plates 3 are then forced over the ends of the keeper plates until securely wedged whereupon the tie plates are spiked to the ties.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention, and described an operative manner of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what is claimed 1s 1. A rail joint of the character described comprising keeper plates having grooves to receive the rail flanges, said plates having pins positioned to pass through the bolt holes of the rails each keeper plate having recesses to receive the pins of the other plate, tie plates engaging the keeper plates, and means for securing the tie plates against movement, the grooves of the tie plates and the complemental portions of the keeper holes of the rails each keeper plate having recesses to receive the pins of the other plate, tie plates engaging the keeper plates and means for securing the tie plates against movement; said keeper plates being curved to form a reinforcing Web running lengthwise thereof and of greatest thickness at the middle of the plates.

8. A rail joint of the character described comprising keeper plates having grooves to receive the rail flanges, said plates having pins positioned to pass through the bolt holes of the rails, each-keeper plate having recesses to receive the pins of the other plate, tie plates engaging the keeper plates, and means for securing the tie plates against movement, the bottom faces of the keeper plates being flat for a short distance from their ends and bulging downwardly, between said flat faces.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. 7

ALVEN L. WARTMAN. 

